Tess Daly has defended Ashley Roberts after the Pussycat Doll received public backlash for her "previous experience" on Strictly Come Dancing.

Ashley, despite being the best dancer on the show, has been in the bottom two for the lsat couple of weeks and has received quite the backlash for what viewers perceive as being "previous dance experience," saying her high scores are a "fix."

But host Tess has hit back at those critics, saying the discipline of ballroom dancing is completely different, meaning Ashley does not have the advantage people suspect.

She told Lorraine Kelly: "We’ve had a few popstars take part, but you have to imagine, ballroom dancing is a very different discipline.

"It demands a different set of skills really – she trains as hard if not harder than anyone else, they’re rehearsing 12 hours a day…

"And this week, with the two dances, I don’t know how they’re going to do it."

Ashley is set to perform the Paso Doble and American Smooth this weekend with her partner, Pasha Kovalev, in the Strictly semi-final, which is the first time this series the pairs have had to prep two full routines.

The only other occasion was when the dancers had to prepare for a lindy-hop-athon, though this is an entirely different kettle of fish.

Ashley and partner Pasha Kovalev are rehearsing two dances for the semi-final
(Image: BBC)

Show winning favourites, Joe Sugg and Stacey Dooley, will be in direct competition as they prepare a Viennese Waltz each, however Stacey will get a little bit silly with a Charleston, while Joe will attempt to sizzle with an Argentine Tango.

Tess also spoke out about her love for Sir Bruce Forsyth, as she prepares for her second final after his death in August last year.

She said: "He was a very special part of my life and just full of fun.. the greatest sense of humour -always looking for the gag in every sentence.

"No-one else is like him so to have shared that time with him, I’m very lucky. He’s one of a kind."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC1 and Lorraine airs weekdays at 8.30am on ITV.